Waiau Farmhouse

HMOA designed this new farmhouse to replace the original homestead that was damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.

The design for the new home was informed by the constraints and opportunities of the existing site and remaining buildings. This included rethinking the relationships between the buildings and the established garden.

The brief and resulting layout of the home responds to the need for intergenerational living, with extended family easily accommodated. An existing sleepout is combined with the garage by two new timber pavilions framing a sunny courtyard.

Farmhouse entrances always require consideration to cater for both farmers and visitors – the formal entrance from the west is marked with stone gables. At the same time, to the south, farm access provides generous storage and is sheltered by a canopy.

The house was designed by Duval O'Neill, who says his understanding of the brief came from his own experience of growing up in Southland, starting out designing rural homes and staying closely connected to farming life through family. That perspective shaped the design for Waiau Farmhouse:

• a house designed around how farms actually work
• a separate farm entry that embraces the practical side of life: gumboots, coats, dogs, and a place to get cleaned up
• a clear visitor entry to keep the townies well away from the business end of things
• a dedicated space for the business of the farm, whether that’s office work or sitting down with rural reps, advisors, and visitors
• a generous heart of the home that brings everyone together at the end of the day
• spaces that support intergenerational living, keeping family connections strong and part of everyday life.

Watch a video of the finished house courtesy of Robertson Building Canterbury.